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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State head softball coach Kathy Rodolph announced Friday the promotion of Kate Singler from graduate assistant coach to assistant coach. Newcomer Kacie McCarthy will replace Singler as the graduate assistant on the coaching staff.

The moves come as former Aggie assistant coach Tiala Tagaloa took a head coaching position at UT-Permian Basin, a Division-II school located in Odessa, Texas.

“This is a very exciting time for Aggie softball," Rodolph said. “We’re excited that coach Tagaloa was able to become a head coach at UTPB. She did a great job for us over the past nine years and we feel like she is ready to be a head coach. At the same time, we feel like Aggie softball has two very energetic individuals moving forward, one we already had and one we brought in. We are fortunate enough to be able to promote Kate Singler, my GA from last year, into our second assistant position and also bring on a standout former pitcher from Colorado State in Kacie McCarthy.”

Singler, a native of Witt, Ill., is promoted after only one season as the Aggie graduate assistant, as the 2013-14 season was her first on the NM State coaching staff.

Before coming to Las Cruces, Singler spent two seasons with her alma mater, Bradley University, as a volunteer and undergraduate assistant coach, mainly working with the pitchers and catchers, which comes as no surprise as she was the Braves’ catcher for two seasons.

Singler spent two seasons playing for Hartland Community College before joining the Bradley Braves for her final two years as a student-athlete. While at Bradley, Singler finished with a .457 slugging percentage, 75 hits, 54 RBIs and 12 home runs. Accolades earned as a Brave include All-Missouri Valley Conference second team, Capitol One Academic All-District V first team and All-MVC Scholar Athlete first team.

Singler made her first two trips to Las Cruces as a member of the Bradley softball team, after the team competed in the NM State-hosted Troy Cox Classic in both 2010 and 2011. She left a lasting impression on the Aggie coaching staff as she was honored on the all-tournament team during both tournaments. Now she is excited to be back in Las Cruces with an opportunity to further her career.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank coach Rodolph and coach (Catherine) Heifner for this tremendous opportunity,” Singler said. “Having been able to work for both coaches over the last year has really given me a good base. I know that this a place where we’re going to thrive and we’re going to compete and I’m really excited to be a part of that. I’m hoping to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm and a tenacious mentality to the team, so I’m excited to get in there and start working with the kids.”

McCarthy will begin her first season on the Aggie squad as the graduate assistant coach. Originally from Northern California, McCarthy played softball at Colorado State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in animal science. She will pursue her master’s degree in animal science while at NM State.

In 2012, McCarthy was named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference with 49 batters struck out looking and finishing second in the conference with 17 wins. That season she had a total of 105 strikeouts while also adding three shutout wins. McCarthy has also earned All-Mountain West honors, NFCA all-region honors and Mountain West All-Academic honors.

“What I like most about both Kate and Kacie is their energy and enthusiasm for a game that both of them were very successful at playing,” Rodolph said, “and they both love an opportunity to work with other female athletes.”

Tagaloa, meanwhile, begins her first stint as a head coach after nine seasons as a NM State assistant under Rodolph and associate head coach Catherine Heifner. She returns to the Odessa-Midland area after a stellar playing career at Midland College.

“The experience I've had at NM State has been unparalleled,” Tagaloa said. “The coaches, athletic staff and players have been my family away from home. I'm grateful for the memories and experiences that have helped me evolve into a better person. I truly believe that my nine seasons as an Aggie have prepared me for future career development and coaching success. Even though I'm moving forward, no matter where I am, I will always be an Aggie... AGGIE UP!”

The NM State softball team is coming off back-to-back 30-win seasons and two-consecutive trips to the WAC Tournament championship game. With the new staff in place, the Aggies are prepared to continue their success on the diamond.